A setting sun granted countless shadows; the freedom of movement within the piney woods. The thought of walking back to the hunting camp became worrisome. I had been waiting patiently in an old deer stand all evening, and I hadn’t seen one single animal all day. Not even a bird chirping or flying about.
The squirrels were usually all over the baited corn pile, set-up about sixty yards away from me. Those furry bastards loved dried corn! It was as if all the wildlife had vanished. No wind or even a swarm of mosquitoes to keep me company. The air was strangely still and heavy. Something didn’t quite feel right about this entire day. This trip was planned a few weeks ago by me, David and one of his co-workers. But some things came up and they ended up cancelling at the last moment. I had decided had to go without them. The vacation day was already taken and I didn’t want to waste it. Besides, the wife insisted that I go.
I removed the .308 round from the chamber. And place the rifle strap over my shoulder and climbed down the creaky ladder stand. Once I reached the forest floor I unfastened the safety harness.
The damp pine straw clung to the dark mud as I walked precariously along the path. I reached for the flash-light to avoid any chance of tripping over a random tree root. The hairs on my neck and arms began to stand up and then, suddenly, no more light! The flash-light flickered a couple of times and died. Maybe the batteries were old? I had some spares in a vest pocket. Quickly they were put in but they lasted all of ten seconds before they perished.
A rush of fear swept in and cradled me like a baby. It was already too dark to find my way back. Instinctively, I knew my cellphone had to be of some help to me so I frantically reached for it. All hope had abandoned me in that one instant! The phone wasn’t alive either……It was just as dead and useless like that piece of shit flash-light and those shitty ass batteries! FUCK!
A faint crackling sound came from just ahead of me. The blinding light made me gasp for air as it materialized. I dropped to my knees and crawled behind a tree. Small electrical currents arched and danced all around the glowing, globe like sphere. As I pressed my back hard against the tree I closed my eyes. The warm tears cascaded downward upon cheeks frozen with fear. It could not be controlled. Every memory, thought and experience were completely revisited by a helpless self-conscience! I saw my wife in the kitchen cooking and our kids playing outback! Everything that was good in my life was being felt all over again! I felt like this was a dying man’s last request; to see it all again one last time…